A 16 foot high brass statue of Alan Shearer will be unveiled at Newcastle United's ground today.

The former Newcastle and England star will perform the ceremony himself outside St. James' Park.

The cost of creating the statue has been met by former owner Freddy Shepherd, and his family.

Scores of Newcastle footballing legends are expected to attend the unveiling at noon along with Alan Shearer and his family as well as celebrities and fans.

Following his then-world record transfer - with Newcastle paying Blackburn Rovers £15 million for the England striker - Shearer went on to score 206 goals for Newcastle. Today he remains unchallenged as the Premier League's all-time record goal scorer with 260 goals. He also scored 30 times in a 63-match England career.

Freddy Shepherd said: "Alan was one of the greatest players ever to wear the Newcastle shirt. It is now 10 years since he retired and our family decided that fans shouldn't have to wait any longer for his unique career to be properly recognised."